IAF proposes to get transport aircraft from private industry

NEW DELHI: In a bid to promote indigenous aerospace sector in the country, the Indian Air Force has proposed to get transport aircraft produced by private industry for replacing its fleet of 56 Avro aircraft.

"We have proposed to the Defence Ministry that we buy certain amount (of aircraft) from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) directly and the rest can be produced here in terms of license production," IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne told reporters here.

The IAF Chief was addressing a gathering on the launch of brochure for the forthcoming 6th seminar on 'Energising Aerospace in India'.

The IAF fleet of Avro aircraft was inducted from the 1960s and are used for transporting men and material. The aircraft can carry loads of upto 7-8 tonnes.

Pointing out that the Defence Ministry has a "very positive take" on the proposal, the IAF chief said, "Once the private industry has the technology and know-how of the whole system, then it (aircraft) will not be confined to the IAF only and it can be given to the private sector also."

Browne expressed hope that the proposal would be cleared by the Minsitry and said it "will help the aerospace industry evolve in the country in a big way."

He said the hands of Defence Public Sector Undertakings were full at the moment with several projects in their kitty.

"We have told the Defence Ministry how to go about it... Otherwise it will go to the Defence PSUs who already have their hands full, " he said.